Bewildering road signs

THE Banora Point highway upgrade is causing confusion, with one business already reporting lost sales as a result.

John Moyes from the Welcome In Cafe noticed many of his regular customers had begun avoiding the Minjungbal Drive centre, opting for cafes in other areas of Tweed Heads South to avoid the confusion caused by numerous road diversions.

“A few people have said it’s a lot harder now. I don’t see how anyone could get lost, but a lot of people who live in Banora Point are now going to Machinery Drive and Greenway Drive cafes,” he said.

“We have lost customers and it’s not doing the centre any good, but progress is progress. It’s got to be done.”

Mr Moyes believed there was plenty of signage available, but admitted the roadwork could be distressing for elderly drivers.

“The age of the popu- lation in the area is much older and they get intimidated by the roadworks, but considering the magnitude of what they’re doing, the delays have been minimal.”

Mr Moyes said one of his regular customers told him he found himself on Ken- nedy Drive after losing his sense of direction as a result of a lack of signage.

The Roads and Traffic Authority has received complaints about the diversions and said it will increase signage.

“The RTA has received three complaints to date, and the alliance is looking at a number of improvements to the existing sign- age for road users,” a spokesperson said.

The next traffic switch was scheduled for Thursday next week, when southbound traffic will be diverted onto a new interchange bridge over Minjungbal Drive.

This interchange bridge will be used to carry southbound traffic until the new bridge is completed in August.

The upgrade is on track to open to motorists mid-next year, with all work due to be completed by the end of 2012.

Reader poll

Do the Banora Point highway upgrade roadworks need more signage?

This poll ended on 29 January 2011.

Current Results

Yes

76%

No

23%

This is not a scientific poll. The results reflect only the opinions of those who chose to participate.